Apparatus for loading freight or the like



Nov. 4, 1952 s. M. NAMPA APPARATUS FOR LOADING FREIGHT QR THE LIKE 4 Shets-Sht 1 Filed July 9, I947 INVENTOR SzzZa M )Vdmya.

ATTORNEYS.

Nov. 4, 1952 s. M. NAMPA APPARATUS FOR LOADING FREIGHT OR THE LIKE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 9, 1947 0 e 0 o 0 0 0 GEL 00000 0000 O0 0 0 0 0 Q .0 0 O 0 90 O O O Q 0 9 000000 W 1 Z INVENTOR 51620 M W y BY 0 Tu WM 9' ATTORNEYS.

Nov. 4, 1952 s. M. NAMPA APPARATUS FOR LOADING FREIGHT OR THE LIKE 4 Sheets-Shet 5 Filed July 9, 1947 iwm ' INVENTOR. SuZo )f/Vzmya.

rf t'f5 Nov. 4, 1952 s. M. NAMPA APPARATUS FOR LOADING FREIGHT OR THE LIKE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 9, 1947 0 o o 0 O o 0 INVENTOR.

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O O O O G O 0 0 Patented Nov. 4, 1 952 APPARATUS FOR LOADING FREIGHT OR THE LIKE Sulo Michael Nampa, Detroit, Mich., assignor to Evans Products Company, Plymouth, Mich., a

corporation of Delaware Application July 9, 1947, Serial No. 759,887

22 Claims. 1

freight car, or other storage space, and having certain other parts which are adjustably and variously cooperable with the built-in parts, the several parts of the equipment cooperating to hold (that is, for example, to brace, support or carry, space, wedge, or provide shelves, partitions, or bins for) a wide variety of freight articles.

It has heretofore been proposed, for example, in prior patents, such as the patent to Thomas No. 2,030,773, to provide the side walls of a freight car or other storage space with plate-like members provided with relatively closely spaced perforations for cooperation with pins or similar attaching means provided at the ends of cross bars disposed to extend across a car and serve as decking members, bul heads and the like, the object being to enable the cross members to be secured to the supporting side walls in any of a plurality of positions of vertical and horizontal adjustment.

members are made heavy enough to withstand the relatively severe duty to which they are subjected in service, they add materially to the weight of the associated car, thus reducing, for

a given maximum allowable wheel loading, the freight capacity of the car.

In accordance with the arrangement disclosed in applicant's ccpending application, Serial No. 740,330, filed April 9, 1947, (now Patent 2,519,8 6) as a continuation of application, Serial No. 434,357, filed March 12, 1942, the above objection is obviated by providing upright side posts in spaced. relation along the respectively opposite sides of the car, and in further providing side members which may be adiustably secured to the uprights in desired positions of vertical adjustment. The side members, in turn, support the cross members. This arrangement materially reduces the over all weight of the freight loading equipment without sacrificing any opcrating advantages, but, it will be noted, involves the use of at least three sets of members, two of which are movable. These members are, of course the uprights, the side members and the cross members.

Such arrangements have the decided disadvantage that if the plate-like side The present invention is directed to the provision of a system which achieves a substantial reduction in weight, as compared to the firstmentioned system and, while maintaining sufficient flexibility or adaptability for many loading purposes, enables the movable side members of the second-mentioned system to be dispensed with. More particularly, in accordance with the illustrated embodiments of the present invention, the side walls of the car or other storage space are provided with a gridiron-like arrangement of retaining means, which are fixed in position relative to. the car, and to which cooperating cross members may be applied in any of a variety of vertically and horizontally adjusted positions, so as to function efixciently as decking members, bulkheads, and the like.

The basic concept of a loading system employing permanently applied grid-like arrangements of vertically and horizontally disposed intersecting supporting members, in aligned relation at opposite sides of the car, also affords a basis for distinct improvements in loading systems of the belt line type. More particularly, a belt line system may, for the purposes of the present description, be characterized as one in which a series of horizontally extending load supporting members of substantial continuous length, so that they may unbrokenly extend from the end to the door of the car, or at least past a plurality of upright car-side-frame posts, are secured to the opposite side wallsof a freight car or the like, the two series being in aligned relation, and the supporting members of each series being arranged at different elevations. In such systems the individual supporting members may be provided with closely spaced holding means distributed along their length in closely spaced relation, so as to cooperate with and holdcross bars or the li e at desired adjusted positions vertically or horizontally of the car. In accordance with one important aspect of the invention the horizontal supporting members at one of a particular series are bridged at desired intervals by vertical members. In accordance with some aspects of the invention, these verticals may serve primarily to give structural support to the horizontals, they may also be provided with closely spaced holding means so as to hold the cross bars at desired elevations thereon. They may also, as a separate function, or as an-addedfunction, serve as a means for permitting a guided transfer of a cross bar from one horizontal level to another. Thus, even in those instances in which, in accordance with the invention, as described below, the cross cars are made nonremovable from the supporting members, a particular cross bar can be moved from any one belt line level to any other belt line level, while guidably supported.

With the above as well as other considerations in view, the principal objects of the present invention are to provide a freight loading arrangement which is simple in construction, low in weight, and efficient and reliable in operation; to provide such an arrangement wherein the side Walls of a freight car, or other storage chamber are provided with retaining means arranged in geometric patterns which enable cooperating freight holding members to be engaged and supported thereby in any of a plurality of positions; to provide such an arrangement in which the retaining means are constituted in part by members which form a part of the side walls of the freight car; to provide such an arrangement wherein the retaining means are constitutedby members arranged in a gridiron pattern and in which the area within each such pat-tern is provided with a lining panel, the surface whereof -is approximately flush with the surfaces of the gridiron defining members, so that the side Walls of the car present relatively smooth freight engaging surfaces; to provide such an arrangement wherein the retaining means are arranged in a square gridiron pattern,

so that holding members the form of relatively wide but thin bars may be secured thereto in either horizontally or vertically disposed positions; and togenerally improve and simplify the construction and arrangement of freight loading sys ems- Further objects, Of the invention are to provide a loading system Qf the belt line type, particularly characterized in that cross bars can be guided by HPPQ ft Ilg m mbers a p i Sides of Cal, for m qvement, along the supporting members at desired elevations, and also for movement while guiriingly supported or guidingly retained from one. belt line level to another; to provide such systems wherein the guided movement from one bc t li e e l. o the nex is af ord d by v rti al me bers which in rccimect t e horizo tal ide supporting members and; wherein such vertical members are also provided with holding means for retaining the cross bars at desired elevations, thereon; tov provide such systems in which th crcss. ars can be moved hor z n y p a plurality of uprightc at side posts. or thus horifpntally and also vertically from one level to, another without removal from guided engaging relation, with the car sides, and, if desired, with such removal prevented so astomake the system pilfer-proof; to provide such systems wherein the, vertical and; horizontal, supporting members define grids whichv are rectangular, and, in some cases, square; to provide such; systems in. which horizontal guiding retaining members extend continuously past a plurality of upright car side posts. to uninterruptedly transmit bracing loads, in tension; toprovide such systems employing vertical guiding and retaining members which extend uninterruptedly past a plurality of similar; horizontal members to carry decking loads in compression; to provide such systems wherein the faces of thesupporting members which arev presented to the interior of the car occupy a substantiallyfiush relation with respect to each other, therebyavoiding freight engaging protuberances, and wherein further the grid-like spaces may be. provided with lining panels, the surtaces of which, may be substantially flush, or

may extend slightly inwardly of the car, from the faces of the supporting member.

With the above as Well as other objects in view, which appear in the following descriptionv and in the appended claims, preferred but illustrative embodiments of the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings throughout the several views of which corresponding reference characters are used to designate corresponding parts and in which:

Figure 1 is a view in perspective of one end of an otherwise conventional freight car equipped with the invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view based upon Fig. l, but showing the freight holding members in a different position;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of one of the freight holding members of Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 4 is a view in longitudinal section, taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a View in horizontal section, taken along the line 55 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view in side elevation of a modification of the invention;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view in section, taken along the line 1'! of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view in side-elevation of a further modification of the invention;

Figs. 9 and 10 are views in vertical and horizontal section, taken, respectively, along the lines 99 and Iii-40 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary view, utilizing the grid structure of Figs. 6 and 7, and showing an improved combination thereof with cross bars;

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary view in horizontal section, taken along the line |2-l2 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary View of a further modification of the "invention; and

Figs. 14 and 15 are fragmentary views in perspective, utilizing the general structures of Figs. 1 and 8, respectively, arranged to embody the guiding and transfer features of Figs. 11 and 12.

It will be appreciated from a complete understanding of the present invention that the improvements thereof may, in a generic sense, be embodied in or used with a wide variety of freight holding systems, and may also partake of various different constructions. The disclosure herein of particular embodiments of the invention, applied tov a railway freight car, is consequently to be regarded in an, illustrative and not in a limiting 5 Referring first to Figs. 1 and 2, the illustrative freight car is illustrated as, being of usual eonstruction, having a conventional planked floor 28', side panels 22, and a roof'structur'e, 24. The hereinafter described supporting structure is shown a being applied only to the side walls of the car, and as extending from the floor to the roof structure, it being understoodrthat it. is contemplated that this structure will extend along each, side of the car from end-to-end thereof, except at the door openings, which may, if desired, be pro,- vided with removable but otherwise similar struc- LL iQ.

The illustrated, sll PQ lling structure comprises a ser es of outwar ly pr s nt n haped m m ers 26., arr n d nQVcrti aHy ned p ir at the, respectively opposite sides of the car. The channels, 26, are provi ed. with outwardly turned flanges 23. by which, th se memb rs m y be sccured to the. si e panels f. th c r ruct r Intermediate the channels 28, at each side, a pair of members. 30, each of Z-section, are. secured to the side walls 22 in opposed relation to, each other, and with the spaces a between the inner flanges thereof defining a slot through which chains 32 may be passed for connection to associated heads 34. The heads 34 are slidable lengthwise of the car within the slot thus provided and the other ends of the chains 32 are secured to the freight holding members 36, so as to prevent their unauthorized removal from the car.

Each side wall of the car is also provided with upper and lower supporting members 38 and 46, also of Z-shape. One flange of each of the. members 38 and 46 is secured to the associated car wall and the other flanges 42 thereof project into the car to a position in which the outer surfaces thereof are coplanar with the outer surfaces of the webs of the members 26 and with the surfaces of theinner flanges of the member 36.

At the extreme end of the car and at each side thereof, a series of vertically disposed members 44, preferably of Z-shape, are secured ,in place between the successive members 36, 26, 36, 26 and 46. The ends of the outer flanges 48 of these members are notched so that such flanges may be and so that the surfaces of the inner flanges 56 thereof lie flush with the surfaces of the webs of the members 26.

At successive, spaced points from the members 44, additional series of upright members 52 are provided at the respectively opposite sides of the car and are connected between the successive horizontal members 33, 26, 36, 26 and 46. The members 52 are shown as being of outwardly presenting channel-shape, having outwardly turned flanges 54. As in the case of the members 44, the ends of the flanges 54 are cut back, so that these flanges may be secured to the side panels 22 of the car with the associated webs 56 lying in flush relation to the webs of the members 26. It will be understood that theupright members immediately adjacent the door openings may be of either the single type, corresponding to the members 44, or the double type corresponding to the members 52, or otherwise, depending upon the manner in which the door openings are to be treated.

It will be noted from the description thus far given that the respectively opposite side walls of the car are provided with supporting structure arranged in a geometric pattern, particularly a rectangular gridiron pattern, and that theoverall weight of this supporting structure is materially less than the weight of the continuous plates utilized in the first-mentioned prior system.

. -In accordance with the present invention, the vertically and horizontally arranged supporting members 26, 36, 33, 46, 44 and 52 are provided with attaching means for cooperation with attaching means carried by the cross members 36. As shown, these attaching means take the form of perforations 66, there being one row of the perforations 66 in each of the members 36, 38, 46 and 44, and there being two rows of the perforations 66 in each of the remaining members. For the reason mentioned below, the distribution of the horizontally and vertically disposed perforations is preferably such that the vertical spacing between the upper row of perforations on, for example, an upper member 26 and the row of perforations on the adjacent member 38 is equal to the horizontal spacing between the vertical row of perforations 66 on an end member 44 and the adjacent vertical row of perforations 66 on the adjacent uprightmember 52. The geometric pattern defined by the perforations is, consequently,

directly secured to the side panels 22 of the car invention a square attern having vertically and horizontally disposed sides, with equal spacing between the perforations thereof. Each such square pattern may for convenience be referred to as a bay, and it is to be noted that the spacing between an opening in one bay and an adjacent opening in an adjacent bay is preferably the same as the spacing between successive openings in the same bay.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1 through 5, the cross members 36 are illustrated as being built up of a number of timbers 36a and as being provided with reinforcing side and end angle irons i6 and 12., The cross members thus have one exposed surface a, which is free of projecting metal surfaces, which surface acts as a cushion for direct engagement by the freight articles. The respectively opposite ends of the members-36 are provided with retractable pins 14. The spacing between the pins 14 at one end of each cross member 36 is equal to the length of the sides of the above-mentioned bays. With this arrangement, by retracting the pins 14, a cross member 36 may be positioned between corresponding bays at opposite sides of the car and, by releasing the pins, so that they project through corresponding perforations 66, may be secured thereto in any of a variety of vertically and horizontally adjusted positions. For example, by turning the member 36, so that the pins 14 lie ina horizontal plane, the member 36 may be located at any desired position lengthwise of any of the horizontal members 26, 36, 38, and 46; or may be positioned between adjacent uprights such as 52-52 at any desired elevation thereon. When so disposed, the member 36 may function as a decking member, as shown in Fig. 1. Similarly, by turning, the member 36, so that the pins I4 lie in a vertical plane, the member 36 may be connected to, an adjacent pair of horizontal members, such as 26 and 36, at any desired position of adjustment therealong. Again, with the pins 14 arranged in a vertical plane, the member 36 may be secured at any desired vertical position along any of the opposed pairs of vertical members 44 and 52.

The members v36 are thus suspectible of a fine adjustment lengthwise of the car at any of a plurality of locations.

In the modified embodiment shown in-Figs, 6 and '7, the supporting structure is formed ,of a plurality of members 66 which are rectangular in form. Such members 66 have an inwardly directed flange portion 82 which defines a central opening therethrough and also an outwardly spaced and outwardly directedflange B4. The members 86 are secured to the walls 22 by screws or the like passed through openings in the flanges 82. Thefianges 84 are formed with the openings 66 therethrough. The members 86 are disposed on the wall 62 in spaced relation to each other to provide spaces 86 therebetween. 7 Thus the members 36 may be mounted on the members 86 at suitable locations by disposing the pins 14 within the proper opening 66 in flanges 84.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 10, the supporting structure associated with the side walls of the car is again arranged to define a rectangular grid pattern. In this instance, the supporting structure is constituted by a series of spaced uprights I66, which in accordance with the invention may and preferably do constitute the upright posts which form part of the car structure. In accordance with the described in the aforesaid copendin'g application Serial No. 740,330, these posts, 166

7 may, if desired, be provided with reinforcing elements to further strengthen themv and better enable them to sustain the substantial. vertical loads to which freight loading structure of the present type is subjected. To simplify the present drawings. such reinforcing structure is not shown. As illustrated, the uprights I are conventionally formed as outwardly presenting channel members having webs I 02, flanges I04 and auxiliary flanges I06. The outer paneling I08 of the car may be conventionally secured to the auxiliary flanges I06, as will be. understood. The: horizontal parts of the supporting structure are constituted by outwardly presenting channel members I'Hl, which, except for their horizontal disposition,may and preferablydocorrespondin construction and in their method of attachment to the previously described members 56. Thus the outer surfaces of the webs of the members. I80 and I I0 lie in substantially flush relation. As in the previous embodiments, the just-mentioned webs are provided with a series of perforations II2, which correspond in function and arrange ment to the previously described openings 60, and which similarly cooperate with the freight. holding elements.

It will be noticed that the. present arrangement is particularly advantageous in that the supporting structure for the freight holding elements does not extend inwardly of the car any further than the inner surfaces of the upright side posts of the car- Accordingly, the present arrangement does. not reduce the usable space within the car.

A further feature of the present embodiment resides in the provision of relatively light lining panels M4, the backs whereof may be provided with suitably distributed furring strips IIS, by which the panels H4 may be secured within the individual bays. rangement described and claimed inthe. aforesaid copending application Serial No. 740,330, the outer surfaces of the lining panels [I4 may lie substantially flush with the outer surfaces of the webs of the supporting members we and U0. Alternatively, these panel surfaces may be disposed slightly outwardly of the web surfaces or slightly inwardly thereof. The last-mentioned arrangement is preferred. The lining panels afford, with the webs of the supporting structure, a

substantially uninterrupted surface. for engages ment by the freight articles.

It will be appreciated that in erecting thepresent embodiment, the usual car lining is first re moved so as to expose the upright pests 00, after which the horizontal members II!) and the lining panels II4 may readily be secured in place.

As thus fare described, the cross bars 36 are freely-removable (except to theextent. that they are restrained by the chains. 32 to give an optionally usable pilfer-proof' movable mounting) from the wall-mounted, vertically and horizontally extending supporting members. Inaccordance with certain further aspectsof the invention, the arrangement is such that the cross bars may be guided for movement along thesupporting members from one position of adjustment to another and wherein further a cross bar, while so guided, can be transferred from one vertical or horizontal supporting member to another. This feature makes it possible to make the bars optionally removable from the supporting members at any point, to make them always removable only at certain specifically constructed points, or removable only at such certain points by the use of'special In accordance with the. ar--' tools, or tomake them entirely nonremovable and piIfer-proof. The grid structure of Figs. 6 and 7. can be used with modified cross bars seas to achieve the. aforesaid features of transferability and desired degrees of nonremovability. Various forms of the improved resulting combination are shown in Figs. 11 through 15.

Referring first to. Figs. 11 and 12, a portion of a. grid structure is illustrated as being secured. to and forming a. part Of one car side wall 22. It will be appreciated. that this. pattern is duplicated at the opposite side. of the car, and that the resulting. pair of supporting structures. may extend from one end of the car, past a plurality of the usual side posts (such as I 00, Fig. 8) to the. doorways, a. similar pair being provided at. the other end of the car in vertically aligned relation. Each supporting structure is composed of rectangular members 80,. constructed as described with reference to Figs. 6 and 7, and it will be. noticed that the spaces 86 define narrow slot-like entrances to wider recesses I20, which are bounded by th car side wall 2-2, the webs I22 of members 80:, and the flanges 84 of such members. These recesses and slots, which run bothvertically and horizontally, and all of which openly communicate with each other, are utilized in the present embodiments to provide the aforesaid feature of transferability and where the slots are narrower than the recesses they act, as described below, to prevent removal of cross bars.

In the present embodiment various different forms of cross bars may be utilized. Wide and narrow bars I26 and I28, respectively, are illustrated. These bars may duplicate bar 36- insofar as the general structure and the arrangement. of pins 74 is concerned. However, bars I26 and I28 are. each provided, at each end, with a centrally disposed retaining head I30, which is joined to the corresponding end Of the bar by a somewhat smaller neck I32. The necks I32 have relatively loose fits in the slot-like entrances 83, and the head-s I30, though smaller than the recesses I20, are larger than the entrances 85. Like the pins 74 the necks I32 are long enough, and the recesses 20 are deep enough to accommodate both variations in width of freight cars and weaving motions of the car sides in transit.

In the embodiment now being described, it is desired that the bars shall be entirely nonremovable from the supporting members, except at certain selected points in the car, and by the use of special tools. To accomplish this, one of the members so at each end of the car is provided with a notched out area I36 which is normally closed by a removable cover plate I38. Plate I38 may normally beheld in place by retaining studs Me, which may be of a typewhich require the use-of special tools (analogous to-a key for a lock) in moving or applying them. The notches I36 atopposi-te sides of the car are, of course, located in aligned relation so that, by removing the cor responding plates I38, the heads I at the opposite ends of a bar I28 may be readily inserted into the recesses I 20. All of theba-rs to be utilized at a particular end of the car are, of course, inserted at the same point.

If complete nonremovability is desired, the platesv Ii38. may, of course, be nonremovably secured in. place. If freely optional removability is desired, but at only certain points in the car, the plates I38 may be omitted; Finally, if freely optional. removability is desired at many points in the; car, a corresponding number of notches I36 may be provided, or, alternatively, the heads I30 on the cross bars I28 may be omitted and the necks I32 may be made retractable in the manner shown in Fig. 13.

In certain of its broader aspects, the foregoing arrangement is characterized by-a slidably supported, and if desired, nonremovable embracing or male and female engaging relation between the ends of the cross bars and the supporting'and guiding members extending horizontally and vertically alongthe car side walls. In the embodiments illustrated, the cross bar ends are received and are embraced by the guiding and supporting members. I I

Because of the communicating'nature of the slots 86, it will be understood that a particular cross bar, with its holding pins I4 retracted, can be freely moved, while guided, to any desired position on the corresponding grid-like supporting structure so as to permit it to be located in a y desired position lengthwise or vertically of the car. Having been so moved also, either a wide or narrow cross bar can be secured in place at the desired position by inserting the pins I4 in cooperating pairs of holes 60. With the illustrated narrow bars I28, the pins v aligned holes at opposite sides of a slot 86, to horizontally or vertically position the bar, depending upon whether the bar is located on a horizontal or vertical run. With the side cross bars I25 the pins I4 are more widely spaced and these bars may be vertically positioned on vertical runs, or horizontally positioned on horizontal runs.

The aforesaid features of guided transferability and partial or complete nonremovability may also be readily incorporated into structures of the type shown in Figs. 1 and 8, which arrangements are illustrated in Figs. 14 and 15, respectively. In Fig. 14, each side of each end section of the car is provided. with a plurality of horizontally extending supporting members I40 which may be located at desired elevations on the car wall, and secured thereto in the previously described manner so as to form a part of and reinforce the side wall structure of the car. Successive pairs of continuous horizontals I65 ar interconnected by correspondingly shaped but shorter, vertical members I42, which may also be secured to and form a part of the side Wall structure of the car.

Members I40 and I42 are illustrated as being of 2 section, the members I40 at intermediate levels, and the members I42 at intermediate positions lengthwise of the corresponding end section of the car, being arranged in opposed pairs, so as to define narrow guiding slots 86 between the opposed edges of the flanges Hi4 thereof, As before, the narrow slots open into wider retaining recesses I20.

So far as the arrangement of supporting members is concerned, the arrangement of Figure 15 duplicates that of Figure 14, with the exception that, in Figure 15, the verticals I56 are continuous, being located at desired spacings horizontally of the car, and the horizontals I52 are short sections, and serve to span the space between verticals.

In both Figures 14 and 15, communication between the vertically and horizontally extending slots 86 is achieved, at junctions between horizontals and verticals, by notching the flanges and webs of the continuous members, as will be seen.

In each of the embodiments of Figures 11 through 15, it is desired that both the horizontals and verticals be arranged to support the cross bars such I26 and I28, at desired positions both horizontally and vertically of the car. Accord- 14 are inserted in ingly, both the horizontals and the verticals are provided with the pin receiving openings 60. In all these embodiments, also, the inner faces of the vertically and horizontally extending supporting members are substantially flush with respect to each other, thereby eliminating freight engaging protuberances. As illustrated in Figure 15, the rectangular spaces defined by the horizontals and verticals may, if desired, be filled with buffer panels H4, the inner faces of which may and preferably do extend slightly inwardly of the car from the faces of the horizontals and verticals. With this arrangement, which also may be utilized in Figures 11 and 14, the entire side wall surfaces of the car are free of freight engaging protuberances, and have the major part of their areas buffered with Wood panels.

Considering now the belt line aspects of the systems of Figures 11 through 15, it will be noticed that each of these embodiments provides a series of horizontally disposed supporting members, the members of each series being arranged at desired elevations on the car wall. In each ofthese embodiments the verticals, which afford the transfer routes from one horizontal level to another, are illustrated'as being relatively closely spaced. In the broader aspects of the invention if only a small number of vertical transfer routes are desired, the number of verticals may, of course, be reduced, and. in such cases, the continuous horizontals of Figure 14 are, of course, preferred.

Further, in connection with cars of the belt line type, the structure of Figure 14 has certain additional important advantages resulting from the use of the continuous horizontal members. These members, it will be noted, permit a direct load transfer along the members, so that whenfreight is wedged in place, as by the cross bars, the wedging load is directly transmitted, through the horizontals, to the entire side wall structure of the car, or, depending upon the nature of the connections between the horizontals and the car side walls, or the relative resistance to elongation, under tension of the car side walls, part or even all of the several bracing loads applied to these horizontals, from several cross bars, will be carried in tension through the horizontals back to the end of the car, since conventionally, the car is loaded from the end to the center and the several parts of the load are successively braced toward the car-end as the loading progresses.

Similarly, and employing the arrangement shown in Figure 15, the vertical guiding and supporting members I50 may be continuous and extend past a plurality of short similar horizontal members I52 having communicating recesses and slots. Thi arrangement is preferred in cases when decking loads are of greater importance, and here the vertical loads are carried in compression by uninterrupted or continuous vertical members I50.

Although only several specific embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, it will be appreciated that various modifications in the form, number, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a freight car loading system for a freight car or the like, in combination, means on and extending along the car side walls defining a series of vertically spaced, horizontally extending paths and a series of horizontally spaced vertical paths intersecting and in open communication with said horizontal paths, said vertical and 11. horizontal paths comprising elongated recesses having continuous narrow slot-like entrances opening only into the freight 'car interior and having their interiors wider than their said entrances.

2. In a freight car loading system for a freight car or the like, in combination, means on and extending along the car side walls defining a series of vertically spaced, horizontally extending paths and a series of horizontally spaced vertical paths intersecting and in open communication with said horizontal paths, said vertical and horizontal paths comprising elongated recesses having continuous narrow slot-like entrances opening only into the freight car interior and having their interiors wider than their said entrances, at least certain of said path forming means being provided with engaging elements for cooperation with freight holding cross bars in releasably securing said bars in freight supporting positions.

3. In. a freight car loading system for a freight car or the like, in combination, means on and extending along the car side walls defining a series of vertically spaced, horizontally extending paths and a series of horizontally spaced vertical paths intersecting and in open communication with said horizontal paths, said vertical and horizontal paths comprising elongated recesses having continuous narrow slot-like entrances opening only into the freight car in terior and having their interiors wider than their said entrances, at least certain of said path forming means being provided with engaging elements for cooperation with freight holding cross bars in releasably securing said bars in freight sup-- porting positions, and one or more said cross bars extending between and supported by said path forming means, said cross bars having holding elements for cooperation with said engaging elements, to effect said securement of said bars.

4. In a freight car loading system for a freight car or the like, in combination, means on and extending along the car side walls defining a series of vertically spaced, horizontally extend-- ing paths and a series of horizontally spaced vertical paths intersecting and in open communication with said horizontal paths, said vertical and horizontal paths comprising elongated recesses having continuous narrow slot-like entrances opening only into the freight car interior and having their interiors wider than their said entrances, the horizontal path forming means having a plurality of relatively closely spaced cross bar engaging means therealong and between each pair of vertical paths.

5. In a freight car loading system for a freight car or the like, in combination, means on and extending along the car side walls defining a series of vertically spaced, horizontally extending paths and a series of horizontally spaced vertical paths intersecting and in open communication with said horizontal paths, said vertical and horizontal paths comprising elongated recesses having continuous narrow slot-like entrances openingly only into the freight car interior and having their interiors wider than their said entrances, the grid spaces defined by said intersecting paths being provided with buffer panels the surfaces whereof are spaced, inwardly of the car, from the plane which includes said path forming means.

6. In a freight loading system for a freight car or the like, in combination, means on and extending along the respectively opposite car side 1'2 walls forming a series of vertically spaced horizontally extending guiding and retaining pathsand a series of horizontally spaced vertically extending guiding and. retaining paths, the paths of said. second series intersecting and communieating with the paths of the first series. and. said paths at opposite sides of the car being in opposed aligned relation, freight holding cross bars having means at each end to engage said path defining means, one of said bar-end means or said path forming means being formed to slidably embrace the other means to provide a transfer of a said cross bar from a horizontal to a vertical path or vice versa while the bar is guided for sliding motion and retained against removal by said embracing relation.

7. In a freight loading system for a freight car or the like, in combination, means on and extending along the respectively opposite car side walls forming a series of vertically spaced horizontally extending guiding and retaining paths and a series of horizontally spaced vertically extending guiding and retaining paths, the paths of said second series intersecting and com.- municating with the paths of the first series and said paths at opposite sides of the car being in opposed aligned relation, freight holding cross bars having means at each end to engage said path defining means, one of said bar-end means or said path forming means being formed to slidably embrace the other means to provide a transfer of a said cross bar from a horizontal to a vertical path or vice versa while the bar is guided for sliding motion and retained against removal by said embracing relation, and additional means on said bar ends and on said path defining means for releasably looking a said cross bar in load supporting position along said path.

8. In a freight bracing and/or decking system for a freight car or the like, the combination of means forming, in opposed aligned relation on opposite side walls of the car and rigidly secured to and forming part of the strength structure of said side walls, a pair of sets of supporting members, each set comprising a series of parallel horizontally spaced vertically extending members and a series of parallel vertically spaced horizontally extending members, the members of one series being continuous and extending between the ends of members of the other series, and a plurality of closely spaced cross bar holding means along each member of said one series and between adjacent members of the other series.

9. The structure of claim 8 in which the members of the non-continuous series are relatively short and are connected in intersecting abutting relation with the members of the other series.

10. The structure of claim 8 in which. the surfaces of the members of both series which face the interior of the car are substantially flush with each other to eliminate freight engaging protuberances.

11. The structure of claim 8 in Which the horizontally extending members are continuous and run from one end of the car to the central door opening to transmit stresses throughout their entire length.

12. The structure of claim 8 in which the horizontally extending members are continuous and run past a. plurality of upright members forming part of the ca sides to transmit stresses throughout their entire length.

13. The structure of claim 8 wherein the spacing between successive ones of said vertically ex- 13 tending members is substantially equal to the space between the successive ones of said horizontally extending members.

14. The structure of claim 8 wherein the open spaces defined by and lying between said vertically and horizontally extending members are provided with buffer panels the surfaces whereof are spaced inwardly of the car from the plane of said members.

15. In a freight loading system for freight cars or the like, the combination of a plurality of elongated support means in opposed aligned relation on opposite side walls of the car and rigidly secured to and forming part of the strength structure of said car side walls, said support means being parallel, horizontally extending and ver tically spaced with respect to each other, said means extending substantially from an end to adjacent the center of the car and having relatively closely and uniformly spaced cross bar securing means throughout their lengths, freight holding cross bars having at each end means to engage said support means in embracing relation for guided slidable support thereon and means to selectively securingly engage said securing means, and means secured to said car side walls permitting a slidable transfer of a cross bar from one level of support means to another with its ends guided during said transfer.

16. The structure of claim 15 in which the said embracing relation prevents a removal of said cross bars from said support means.

17. The structure of claim 15 in which said support means, said cross bar end means, and said transfer means prevent undesired removal throughout said horizontal adjustment on said transfer.

18. In a freight securing system for freight cars or the like having a plurality of spaced uprights forming part of the car sides, the combination of a plurality of aligned levels of elongated, horizontally extending members extending uninterruptedly past a plurality of said uprights and constructed to guidingly engage and support freight securing cross bars for sliding adjustment therealong and to secure them in adjusted positions, said members being secured to and forming part of the strength structure of said car side walls, and upwardly extending members providing for guidingly engaged transfer of said cross bars from one level to another of said horizontal members, the intersections of said upwardly extending and said horizontal members being constructed and arranged to permit transfer of cross bars from one to the other without removal.

19. In a freight loading system for a freight car or the like having opposite side walls, the combination of a series of vertically extending and a series of horizontally extending support members attached to the opposite side walls, said vertical and horizontal members cooperating to form a grid structure, and means formed on at least some of the members for engaging and supporting freight holding members whereby said grid structure serves as a supporting structure for freight in the freight car.

20. The invention set forth in claim 19 wherein the side walls are formed by panels secured to said members and said grid structure thus serves as the supporting structure for the side walls.

21. In a freight bracing and/or decking system for a freight car or the like, the combination of means forming, in opposed aligned relation on opposite side walls of the car and rigidly secured to and forming part of the strength structure of said side Walls, a pair of sets of supporting members, each set comprising a series of parallel horizontally spaced vertically extending members and a series of parallel vertically spaced horizontally extending members, the members of one series being continuous and extending between the ends of members of the othe series, a plurality of closely spaced cross bar holding means along each member of said one series and between adjacent members of the other series, and a plurality of freight holding cross bars extending across the freight car and having their ends supported by corresponding ones of said members at opposite sides of the car, said cross bars having holding means to engage said firstmentioned holding means to support the bars in desired positions of adjustment and being further constructed and arranged so that while they are adjustable along said members, they are not removable therefrom.

22. The structure of claim 21 wherein said horizontally and vertically extending members are provided with recesses which non-removably receive engaging elements carried by said bars, to effect said non-removable relation.

SULO MICHAEL NAMPA.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Thomas Feb. 11, 1936 Number 

